BASICS: The rails on the helmet

At the beginning, helmets were just smooth "Brain Buckets" without any accessories or frills attached. A fabric cover was the most you could get - maybe even a rubber band underneath to hold a pack of cigarettes. Just think about the steel helmets from the Vietnam War. From the late 1980s, a mounting plate for night vision devices was added to the front of the helmet. By the early 2000s, these plates were almost standard in the US military. Special forces, who carry more gear than regular soldiers, popularized the trend of attaching Velcro to helmets in order to secure various accessories, sometimes in unconventional ways. The need for mounting options on the helmet was recognized, and OpsCore responded to the call in 2008 by introducing their first helmet with mounting rails in 2009. A novelty at the time and still considered the "standard" rail, so to speak. HERE is the SPARTANAT review of the ARC/MICH Kit. The helmet is no longer just a helmet, but increasingly seen as a system that integrates night vision, hearing protection, lights, and marking devices. Nowadays, there are several manufacturers who rely on the concept of helmet rails. We want to show you the different approaches collectively:

OPS CORE for MICH/ACH

Even regular soldiers want to be "special" like the cool guys. Or not everyone has the money to buy a new helmet. The easiest way is to expand the existing helmet with rails. The MICH/ACH is the standard helmet of the US Army, so it didn't take long for OpsCore's rails, which functionally are similar, to be available for this helmet as well.

OPS CORE, the classic

Probably the most widespread helmet rail solution. There is countless accessories that can be attached to these rails. In the picture, the Carbon variant as a non-ballistic helmet. OpsCore also has its own active hearing protection system that is designed to fit on the rail, with the ear cups attaching to the rear arm of the rail, leaving room for other accessories on top. HERE is the SPARTANAT review of the OpsCore AMP. OpsCore's latest innovation is a rail that integrates the light system and power into the rail, freeing up mounting spaces on the rail. HERE are all the details about the Raillink system.

TEAM WENDY Gen1

Team Wendy had a different approach for their rail system. The idea here was that the user could create their own mount using screws. A noble thought, but people prefer ready-made solutions that just need to be clicked in. HERE is our review of the Team Wendy EXFIL Carbon.

TEAM WENDY Gen2

Team Wendy has revised the helmet rail after a few years. The basic principle has remained the same, but a smaller Picatinny rail section has been added to the front area, and the slots have been shortened overall. These rails are now compatible with the in-house protective visors and mandibles. HERE is the review of the Team Wendy EXFIL LTP.

FLUX-MTEK goes M-LOK

For the FLUX Helmet by MTEK, the helmet rail mounting is using M-LOK. The advantage of this is that there is already a myriad of accessories available for it. After all, M-LOK has established itself as the standard for mounting on rifles. HERE is the SPARTANAT review of the MTEK FLUX Ballistic Helmet.

HHV M-LOK

Other helmet manufacturers are also turning to M-LOK because it is a freely usable standard from Magpul. Here, for example, Hard Head Veterans, a small manufacturer from the USA. Overall, a very sleek solution.

NeoSteel with Rail System

The helmet rails of the NeoSteel Helmet also utilize M-LOK. Again, very slim design. More information about NeoSteel.

REVISION Caiman Rail

Revision has designed their own helmet rail, but the mounting slots are compatible with OpsCore. So you have a wide selection of accessories available.

Busch PROtective with Rail System

Busch PROtective has adopted the basic rail mounting from OpsCore, but the helmet rail itself has been further developed. In the image, you can see the Rescue and Training Helmet (AMH-2) from Busch PROtective worn by a combat swimmer.

We have introduced a new SPARTANAT BASICS category for you. With this, we present you with the basics that you have always wanted to know how they work.